Refined Results with Deep Plane Facelift
Experience natural facial rejuvenation through deep plane and preservation facelift methods.
Trust Your Face to a Double Board-Certified Surgeon
Choosing to have a facelift with Dr. Richard Balikian means placing your trust in a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon known for delivering natural, refined results. With a personalized approach and advanced techniques, Dr. Balikian helps patients restore youthful contours and rejuvenate their appearance with precision and care.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, medically known as a rhytidectomy, is a highly effective cosmetic surgery designed to reverse many of the most visible signs of facial aging. As we age, skin loses elasticity, facial fat shifts, and deeper tissues begin to sag, leading to features that may look tired, droopy, or less defined.
Facelifts are commonly performed to address:
- Loose, excess skin.
- Accumulated fat along the jawline or under the chin.
- Deep facial wrinkles such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds.
- Sagging tissues in the mid-to-lower face.
- Jowls and loss of jawline definition.
By carefully lifting and repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues, removing or redistributing fat, and excising excess skin, a facelift can dramatically rejuvenate your appearance. The result is a smoother, firmer, and more youthful look that still feels natural, not overdone.
“A facelift should never make you look different, just like a brighter, rested version of yourself.”
– Dr. Balikian
Types of Facelifts
Dr. Richard Balikian is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes exclusively in facial rejuvenation. He is best known for his deep plane facelift techniques, a more advanced and lasting approach to lifting and reshaping the face by addressing deeper structural layers beneath the skin.
Every procedure is customized to the patient’s anatomy, aging pattern, and aesthetic goals.
Artiste Lift™ – Preservation Deep Plane Facelift
This is Dr. Balikian’s signature facelift, a refined version of the deep plane facelift that carefully repositions deep facial structures while preserving your unique beauty.
Unlike traditional facelifts that only tighten the skin or the SMAS layer, the Artiste Lift™ lifts the skin, SMAS, and retaining ligaments together in one unified, natural movement.
This approach allows for dramatic yet natural correction of jowls, nasolabial folds, and midface descent, without a pulled or artificial look. The result is a smooth, soft lift that looks natural both at rest and in motion.
Comprehensive Artiste Lift™
For patients seeking full facial rejuvenation, Dr. Balikian offers the Comprehensive Artiste Lift™. This includes the preservation deep plane facelift along with customized procedures such as:
- Four-point temporal brow lift
- Deep vertical neck lift
- Facial fat transfer
- Upper and lower eyelid surgery
Each procedure is performed with artistic precision, restoring brightness and youthful proportions across the entire face while maintaining a natural aesthetic.
Deep Plane Facelift
At the heart of Dr. Balikian’s facial rejuvenation philosophy is the deep plane facelift, a technique that lifts not just the skin but also the underlying muscular and ligamentous structures of the face. This allows for dramatic rejuvenation while avoiding the tight or “windblown” appearance associated with older facelift methods.
Unlike a SMAS-only facelift, the deep plane approach releases facial retaining ligaments and repositions the midface, cheeks, and jowls as a single unit. This deeper lift restores youthful volume and structure where it’s been lost, especially in the cheeks and lower face.
Dr. Balikian uses this technique as the core of his signature Artiste Lift™, offering:
- Smoother jawline and neckline
- Softened nasolabial folds
- Lifted cheeks with restored volume
- Natural-looking expressions in motion
Because the lift is performed beneath the superficial layers, the skin rests in a tension-free position, promoting better healing and a more natural appearance. The deep plane facelift is considered one of the most advanced and long-lasting facial rejuvenation techniques available today.
Deep Vertical Neck Lift
A signature part of many of Dr. Balikian’s facelifts, the Deep Vertical Neck Lift targets the deeper structures of the neck, including muscle bands (platysma), deep fat, and loose skin. This technique allows for vertical redraping and sculpting of the neck and jawline, creating a sharper, more youthful contour with lasting definition.
Dr. Balikian’s facelift techniques go beyond skin tightening. They are structural, anatomical, and artistic, designed to rejuvenate your appearance while preserving your natural character.
Thousands Transformed. Results That Look Naturally You.
Thousands have trusted Dr. Balikian to restore their facial harmony with expertly tailored procedures that lift the cheeks, define the jawline, smooth the neck, and refresh the eyes. The results look effortlessly natural and beautifully balanced.
A Smoother, Smarter Deep Plane Facelift Recovery
We know your time is valuable, and you want to heal quickly without compromising comfort or results. That’s why Dr. Balikian has refined the facelift recovery process to be as streamlined and stress-free as possible.
Here’s how our method stands apart:
- No Need for Narcotics – Our advanced techniques help minimize discomfort without relying on heavy pain medications, supporting a quicker, cleaner recovery.
- Drain-Free Healing – Say goodbye to surgical drains and bulky compression gear, our modern approach makes recovery simpler and more comfortable.
- Reduced Swelling and Bruising – With less post-operative inflammation, you’ll start to see results sooner and feel confident faster.
- Enhanced Healing Support – We offer optional therapies like ELIXIR MD™ light treatment, gentle lymphatic massage, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to accelerate your recovery.
- Comfort-Focused Care – From better sleep solutions to thoughtful post-op instructions, everything is designed to help you feel your best during healing.
Because recovering from a facelift or neck lift isn’t just about your appearance, it’s about regaining comfort, energy, and confidence with less downtime.
Accelerated Deep Plane Facelift Healing with ELIXIR MD™
Dr. Balikian goes the extra mile for his patients, offering ELIXIR MD™, an FDA-cleared light therapy that speeds healing, reduces swelling, and minimizes bruising.
Combined with his advanced techniques and attentive aftercare, it helps patients recover faster and more comfortably, with natural, confident results.
Complementary Procedures
To create the most natural and balanced facial rejuvenation, Dr. Balikian often combines a facelift with additional procedures that address volume loss, skin texture, and signs of aging around the eyes.
- Facial Fat Transfer – As we age, the face loses volume, like a grape turning into a raisin. While a facelift lifts and repositions tissue, fat transfer restores youthful fullness using your own fat, often from areas like the abdomen. Dr. Balikian frequently pairs this with facelifting to sculpt and soften the face with artistic precision, noting that a facelift rejuvenates, but fat adds beauty.
- CO2 Laser Resurfacing – A facelift improves sagging and some fine lines, but deeper wrinkles require resurfacing. Dr. Balikian often performs CO₂ laser treatment alongside facelift surgery to smooth the skin, stimulate collagen, and improve texture. Think of it as refinishing the surface, refining the skin without erasing its natural character.
- Eyelid Surgery – Heavy or sagging eyelids can make you look tired or older than you feel. When needed, upper or lower eyelid surgery is combined with a facelift to refresh the eyes and restore a more alert, rested appearance. Candidacy is determined during your consultation.
By thoughtfully combining these procedures, Dr. Balikian can address multiple dimensions of aging, lifting, filling, smoothing, and brightening the face for a refreshed yet natural look. These enhancements are often seamlessly integrated into his signature Artiste Lift™, a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation that blends precision, artistry, and customization for truly transformative results.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
If you’re noticing sagging skin, deep creases, jowls, or a tired appearance in the lower face or neck, a facelift may be the right solution. Ideal candidates are in good physical and emotional health, have realistic expectations, and are non-smokers. This procedure is especially effective for addressing visible signs of aging caused by gravity, sun exposure, and genetics.
While a facelift lifts and tightens loose skin, it doesn’t fully address volume loss or surface wrinkles on its own. To achieve more comprehensive rejuvenation, Dr. Balikian may recommend combining your facelift with complementary treatments like fat transfer or laser resurfacing.
During your consultation, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Balikian will evaluate your features, review your health history, and listen closely to your goals. He’ll then create a customized treatment plan designed to deliver natural, balanced results, whether you’re seeking subtle refinement or a more dramatic transformation.
Deep Plane Facelift FAQs
What is a deep plane facelift?
A deep plane facelift repositions the deeper layers of the face rather than just tightening the skin. Dr. Balikian releases key retaining ligaments and lifts the SMAS and platysma as one continuous structure, restoring youthful support and contour. This approach provides longer-lasting, natural results compared to older skin-only or SMAS-plication methods.
How is Dr. Balikian’s approach unique?
Dr. Balikian focuses on harmony and structure rather than surface tension. By working in the deep plane, he elevates the midface, jowls, and neck as one unit. The result is a rested, youthful look that maintains the patient’s natural expressions. His goal is always to make patients look younger, not different.
Who is a good candidate for a deep plane facelift?
Ideal candidates are healthy adults with sagging in the cheeks, jawline, or neck who want comprehensive rejuvenation rather than limited tightening. Skin elasticity, facial anatomy, and medical history all factor into candidacy.
How does a deep plane facelift compare to SMAS or mini facelift techniques?
Both methods address deeper tissues, but the deep plane releases and repositions them more completely. Comparative studies show deep plane facelifts produce superior midface elevation and natural motion with similar complication rates when done by experienced surgeons.
What does the surgery improve most reliably?
It restores cheek projection, smooths nasolabial folds, and redefines the jawline and neck. Treating the deep muscle layer and skin together softens transitions and eliminates sagging without pulling the surface.
Will my results look natural?
Yes. Dr. Balikian lifts the face from within, movement remains natural. Skin tension is minimal, and the result reflects the patient’s own anatomy, just more youthful.
How long do deep plane facelifts last?
Most patients enjoy results for ten years or longer, depending on genetics, lifestyle, and skin quality. The face continues to age normally, but the foundational lift endures.
What is recovery like?
Swelling and bruising peak within the first week and improve over two to three weeks. Most patients feel comfortable returning to social life by week three.
Dr. Balikian’s meticulous preservation technique eliminates the need for drains, reducing discomfort and downtime.
Does Dr. Balikian use drains?
No. Through precise hemostasis and use of fibrin sealants, he controls bleeding and fluid accumulation without drains, leading to faster healing.
What is the difference between a deep plane facelift and a neck lift?
A deep plane facelift lifts both the face and the upper neck as one. When deeper neck structures such as the platysma or subplatysmal fat require attention, Dr. Balikian performs a deep vertical neck lift at the same time for a continuous, refined contour.
Does fat transfer enhance facelift results?
Yes. Dr. Balikian often includes micro fat grafting to restore natural fullness to areas such as the cheeks and temples. The fat acts as a subtle filler that softens shadows and enhances youthful light reflection.
What are the main risks?
Bruising, swelling, and temporary numbness are common and expected. Rare risks include hematoma, infection, or transient nerve weakness. Published data show that careful blood pressure control and fibrin sealants help reduce complications.
How long until I can return to work or exercise?
Light daily activities can start in about a week. Most patients are social and camera-ready in two to three weeks, and full workouts resume after four to six weeks once cleared.
Can a deep plane facelift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Depending on each patient’s needs, it can be combined with eyelid surgery, brow lift, lip lift, laser resurfacing, or fat transfer for complete harmony of the face.
What evidence supports the deep plane facelift?
Recent systematic reviews show that deep plane and SMAS facelifts both achieve high satisfaction and durable results, with broadly similar overall complication rates when performed by experienced surgeons.
Deep plane often shows advantages in midface elevation and natural motion.
See the comparative meta-analyses and clinical overviews here: deep plane vs SMAS review, large safety meta-analysis, and the StatPearls technique summary.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richard Balikian is a highly respected facial plastic surgeon serving the San Diego area.
With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Balikian offers a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.
He is part of an elite group of surgeons with extensive training focused exclusively on the face and neck.
Discover the Possibilities
Elevated Care. Exceptional Results.
Dr. Richard Balikian is recognized for elevating facial plastic surgery through precision, artistry and outcomes that reflect your true self.
Discover the Art of Facial Plastic Surgery
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS